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About Oak Brook.

Oak Brook is a premier community offering some of the most luxurious homes, entertainment attractions, and dining destinations in the west suburbs. Oak Brook’s luxurious mansions, Provencal homes, and English Tudor estates are nestled along the beautiful Fullersburg Woods. Families enjoy the peace of quiet neighborhoods, gated communities, and private cul-de-sacs. Bachelors and young couples love the chic, modern sophistication of Oak Brook condos. Oak Brook residents also appreciate access to open gyms, daycares, and swimming pools at the Central Park West Family Center.

The Oak Brook Center Mall provides for much of the town’s flourishing economy and culture. The center offers 6 major department stores, over 160 shops, and fine restaurants such as Antico Posto, Baisi Thai, and the Reel Club. Oak Brook residents also find employment in local hotels and corporate offices, including the world headquarters of Dominick’s, Papermate, and McDonald’s.

Oak Brook is located just 18 miles west of the Chicago Loop, bringing it near to work and play options in the city. Nearby roads I-34, I-83, I-88, and I-294 provides easy transit to destinations throughout the Chicago metro area. However, Oak Brook residents never need to leave the village for entertainment; attractions such as the Graue Mill, Drury Lane, and Mayslake Peabody Estate provide year-round fun for the whole family.

With so many wonderful options, homeowners find natural beauty and urban-style convenience in Oak Brook.

Location

Oak Brook is a west suburb located 18 miles from the Chicago Loop. The town is home to the Oak Brook Center Mall, conveniently situated just off of I-88. To the east lies the I-294 Tri-State Tollway.

Oak Brook is bordered by Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hillside, Berkeley, and Bellwood to the north, Broadview and Maywood to the northeast, Westchester, La Grange Park, and Brookfield to the east, La Grange and Countryside to the southeast, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Westmont, and Clarendon Hills to the south, Lisle to the southwest, and Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, and Addison to the northwest.

Information

Oak Brook is home to a number of major corporate offices including McDonald’s, Ace Hardware, Blistex, Dominicks, Papermate, Follett Corporation, and the Federal Signal Corporation. Oak Brook is also the headquarters of non-for-profits such as the Lions Clubs International and the institute in Basic Life Principles.

Oak Brook has been home to a number of famous sports stars including hockey player Chris Chelios, baseball player Frank Thomas, and hockey player Doug Wilson.

Oak Brook is referenced as the home of Dr. Carter’s parents in the medical drama ER.

History

Oak Brook was incorporated as a village in 1958 thanks to Paul Butler, a local leader and landowner whose father was among the first area settlers. The name Oak Brook was used almost two decades prior to the incorporation as a way to distinguish the village from Hinsdale and Elmhurst.

The Oak Brook Shopping Center opened in 1962, providing a source for much of the region’s commercial growth. Oak Brook is also distinguished by the Oak Brook Sports Core, which includes polo fields, a golf course, swimming, and tennis facilities.

Oak Brook is also the site of the historic Graue Mill. The gristmill was constructed in 1852 by German farmer Frederick Graue, who used white oak timbers cut from a tract along the I&M Canal along with four one-ton buhrstones imported from France. For 70 years, the mill was used to grind wheat, corn, and other locally produced grains. In 1975, the mill was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1981 it was recognized as an Illinois Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.

Oak Brook mansion styles range from the old world glamour of English Tudors, Country French homes, Georgian homes, and Provencal homes to unique modern designs. Many mansions are situated on the edge of the Fullersburg Woods, giving residents beautiful backyard views. Whether riding the in-home elevator, sipping cocktails beside the pool, or descending a grand spiral staircase, Oak Brook homeowners experience life in the lap of luxury.

Homes are set in peaceful wooded neighborhoods or in the seclusion of private cul-de-sacs and gated communities, ensuring a quiet and comfortable lifestyle. Home interiors feature gourmet kitchens with granite counter tops, first and second floor master bedrooms, finished walkout basements, and dramatic formal dining rooms. Family rooms showcase hardwood floors, large brick and stone fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and the natural light let in by full-wall windows.

The average value of an Oak Brook single family home is between $700,000 and $1,200,000, though Oak Brook condos can sell for as little as $70,000. With features such as garage parking, mirrored closets, and glamorous bathrooms with double sinks, Oak Brook condos are ideal for young couples, small families, and single office workers.

Transportation

Oak Brook is less than 3 miles from the West Hinsdale Metra ((630) 789-7000), an excellent public transit option for morning commuters. The station sits on the BNSF Railway, which runs from Aurora to Union Station in downtown Chicago.

Oakbrook is also served by five different Pace Bus lines, including the Route 322- Cermak Road- 22nd Street, Route 332- River- York Roads, Route 747- DuPage Connection, Route 877- South Suburban Oakbrook Limited, and Route 888- Tri State Flyer.

Route 332 provides service between the Oakbrook Center and the Rosemont CTA Blue Line Station, also serving Elmhurst and Bensenville Metra Stations, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and the south cargo area of O'Hare Airport including AMC O'Hare. Saturday and Sunday service operates between Rosemont CTA station and Northwest Cargo Area.

Route 747 runs between the CTA Blue Line Forest Park Transit Center and Wheaton. The line hits stops at McDonald’s Corporate, the Oakbrook Center, the Metra UP-West Line Wheaton Station, the DuPage County Government Center, the Health Department Building, the Convalescent Center, Marion Park, and Marionjoy Hospital.

Oak Brook is conveniently located between the I-83 Kingery Highway on the west, I-88 on the north, I-294 to the east, and I-34 Ogden Avenue to the south, making driving an easy transportation option.

I-83 runs north through Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Elk Grove Village before hitting the I-90 Jane Adams Memorial Tollway. The road runs south through Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, and Willowbrook before intersecting with I-55.

I-88 runs east into I-290 past Hillside, Bellwood, Broadview, Maywood, Forest Park, Oak Park, East Garfield Park, and the Near West Side before reaching the Chicago Loop. I-88 runs southwest through Downers Grove before hitting I-355.

I-294 runs north through Berkeley, Stone Park, Northlake, Franklin Park, and Schiller Park past O’Hare International Airport before running into the Kennedy Expressway. I-294 runs south through Western Springs, La Grange Highlands, and Indian Head Park before hitting I-55.

I-34 runs east through La Grange, Brookfield, Lyons, Stickney, Cicero, Little Village, and the Near West Side before running into the Loop. The road runs west through Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, and Aurora.

Nightlife

York Tavern (3702 York Road (630) 323-5090) is a charming little hangout set in a picturesque environment, right on the edge of Salt Creek across the river from Graue Mill. This unpretentious tavern offers everything from juicy burgers to first-rate indie brews, always boasting low prices and a laid-back attitude. Locals enjoy stopping by at the end of a Salt Creek Trail bike trip or at the end of a long office workday.

For a more upscale setting, thirsty Oak Brook residents head to the Grotto (3011 Butterfield Road (630) 571-5700). The dinner menu features a range of fine steaks and Italian specials such as chicken vesuvio, veal osso bucco, and classic eggplant parmigiana. The drink menu includes a full range of cocktails, wines, and martinis with tempting choices such as the Thin Mintini with vanilla vodka, Irish Cream, Godiva White and Dark Liquor, Crème de Menthe, and Peppermint Schnapps. The bar also offers a range of special events including live musical performances and DJ nights.

Entertainment

Oak Brook offers the highest class of entertainment destinations in the western suburbs. Oak Brook residents are pampered with a panoply of options, from beautifully preserved historic sites to dinner theater, country clubs, spas, and golf courses.

The Graue Mill and Museum (3824 York Road (630) 655-2090) is the only operating waterwheel gristmill in northern Illinois. Built in 1852, the mill has a long and vibrant history; it even served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Mill offers educational tours of the Graue Mill, giving visitors a taste of life in the mid 19th century. The wonderfully restored Italianate Graue House can be rented for small, catered celebrations, offering a charming Victorian setting. The Mill also hosts numerous seasonal special events, including an Antiques and Vintage Fair.

Oak Brook’s Mayslake Peabody Estate (1717 31st Street (630) 206-9569) is another remarkable historic destination. Built throughout the first quarter of the 20th century, this Tudor Revival Style manor represents the glamour of America’s Gilded Age. Tours are offered year round along with a variety of classes, musical performances, and festive Mayslake Peabody Holiday Events. Be sure to look out for mysterious sights and sounds; the estate is rumored to be haunted!

Drury Lane (100 Drury Lane (630) 530-8300) offers some of the finest live theater entertainment in the Chicago metro area. Visitors can order lunch and dinner packages of gourmet dishes such as roast duckling, crabmeat encrusted whitefish, and New York strip steak. The theater hosts everything from major concerts to childrens theatre productions. Recent performances include classic crooner Bobby Vinton, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and musicals such as Sweeney Todd, the Sound of Music, and Gypsy.

The Oakbrook Center (100 Oakbrook Center (630) 573-0700) is one of the most popular shopping destinations in northern Illinois. The mall offers 6 major department stores and over 160 upscale shops and restaurants. Additionally, shoppers enjoy a pleasant open-air atmosphere with sparkling fountains, lush gardens, and plenty of outdoor sitting areas.

Restaurants

Many of Oak Brook’s finest restaurants are located right within the Oak Brook Center. Residents can dine on Italian cuisine, seafood, and delicious Thai favorites in between marathon shopping runs.

Antico Posto (118 Oakbrook Center (630) 586-9200)—translated as “the old spot”—is a classic Italian cafe with a homegrown sensibility. The Antico Posto menu offers a delicious risotto of the day and a wide range of pasta specialties, including Spaghetti Bolognese, Baked Lasagna, Orrechiette with Sweet Fennel Sausage, and Mushroom Fontina Ravioli. The wine list includes over 60 Italian and domestic selections as well as 30 wines by the glass, ½ glass, and ½ bottle. The bar offers a number of terrific weekly specials including 10 entrée for $10 Mondays, Half Price Bottle Tuesdays, 5 wine for $5 Thursdays, and ½ of Appetizer Fridays.

The Clubhouse (289 Oakbrook Center (630) 472-0600) is a classy American joint serving comfort foods with a touch of sophistication. The Clubhouse menu features everything from a carne asada cobb salad to a grilled chicken and brie sandwich to a Kobe beef burger with jack cheese, mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli on a brioche bun. Diners can wash down their meals with a wide range of libations, including margaritas, manhattans, martinis, cosmopolitans, mojitos, and bloody marys. The Clubhouse also features a variety of drink specials such as the half price wine bottle Mondays, $9 wine flight Tuesdays, $7 Svedka martinis on Wesdnesdays, and more.

The Reel Club (272 Oak Brook Center (630) 368-9400) is a fresh new restaurant serving the freshest of seafood dishes. With its modern interior design, romantic lighting, and elegant service style, The Reel Club is the ideal club for dress-to-impress dates. The restaurant is run by Chef Mychael Bonner, whose distinguished cooking history includes eateries in France, Italy, and all across the U.S. Private parties may reserve the restaurant for 4-course meals on birthdays, anniversaries, and company meetings of up to 300 guests.

Baisi Thai (66 Oakbrook Center (630) 571-8424) is a popular Asian Fusion restaurant serving tasty Pad Thai, Curry Chicken, Spring Rolls, and impressively large portions. The atmosphere is sleek and minimalistic with blue-toned lighting, dark wood tables, and a full wet bar. Service is always swift, friendly, and accommodating.

Oak Brook also boasts a number of fine dining options outside the mall. The Labriola Bakery and Café (3021 Butterfield Road (630) 574-2008) is the premier baker of Labriola artisan breads, which are served in restaurants and grocery stores throughout Chicagoland. The classic café menu includes hot and cold sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and pastas. For dessert, diners enjoy pastries such a cannolis, éclairs, and cinnamon sour cream cake as well as freshly made gelato. Labriola also provides an excellent catering service for office meetings, family parties, and more.

2100 Blue Restaurant (2100 Spring Road (630) 573-2800) brings fabulous French cooking rights to Oak Brook’s Renaissance Hotel. The restaurant is best known for its spectacular top floor view, offering a distant peek at the Chicago skyline. What better place for a picturesque night out or a chic mimosa brunch?

Festivals/Parks

Central Park West (1500 Forest Gate Road (630) 645-9540) is the primary Oak Brook recreation center, hosting a wide variety of activities for locals of all ages. The exquisite Central Park banquet hall includes kitchen facilities, audiovisual equipment, a wood burning fireplace, two outdoor patios, basketball courts, a sand volleyball pit, and much more, making it the perfect location for large gatherings.

The park is also home to the Family Aquatic Center (1450 Forest Gate Road). The center offers two large pools, 6 25-yard lap lanes, a water playground with geysers, a 105 foot-long slide, and a summer splash park. A10-person whirlpool provides a place for parents to relax while their children play. Oak Brook families also appreciate the Central Park Family Recreation Center, which includes the state of the art Oak Brook Fitness Center facility. The center offers treadmills, recumbent bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers, exercise classes, personal trainers, and a free fitness evaluation. A gym child care service gives parents peace of mind while they exercise. A coffee café provides a comforting spot to convene and socialize post-workout.

The Fullersburg Woods ((630) 933-7681) are nestled right on the edge of many Oak Brook home lots, literally bringing nature to the door. The woods are a prime location for wildlife spotting, including nesting songbirds and migratory birds. The Nature Education Center hosts seasonal programs for all age groups, teaching residents how to tap maples for sap, identify wildflowers, and preserve their local environment. Fullersburg trails follow the beautiful Salt Creek and lead to the historic Graue Mill.